Small Wind Energy Systems Guidelines
3/10/2010
A. Purpose:
This Small Wind Energy Systems guideline material is offered to inform Jackson’s residents and business people about Small Wind Energy Systems, and to alert people to the town’s permitting process for Small Wind Energy Systems, to ensure compliance with town building code requirements.
B. Information:
The following website offers information of interest concerning placement of Small Wind Energy Systems in the Jackson area: http://www.jacksonwindpower.net/WindTurbines/Index.htm (this will move to the JacksonVillage.net site soon).
C. Definitions:
Meteorological tower (Met Tower). Includes the tower, base plate, anchors, guy wires and hardware, anemometers (wind speed indicators), wind direction vanes, booms to hold equipment for anemometers and vanes, data loggers, instrument wiring, and any telemetry devices that are used to monitor or transmit wind speed and wind flow characteristics over a period of time for either instantaneous wind information or to characterize the wind resource at a given location. For the purpose of this regulation, Met Towers shall refer only to those whose purpose are to analyze the environmental factors needed to assess the potential to install, construct or erect a Small Wind Energy System.
Modification. Any change to the Small Wind Energy System that materially alters the size, type or location of the Small Wind Energy System. Like-kind replacements shall not be construed to be a Modification.
Net Metering. The difference between the electricity supplied to a customer over the electric distribution system and the electricity generated by the customer’s Small Wind Energy System that is fed back into the electric distribution system over a billing period.
Power Grid. The transmission system, managed by ISO New England, created to balance the supply and demand of electricity for consumers in New England.
Small
Wind Energy System. A wind energy
conversion system consisting of a Wind Generator, a tower, and associated
control or conversion electronics, which has a rated capacity of 100 kilowatts
or less and will be used primarily for onsite consumption.
System Height. The vertical distance from ground level to the tip
of the Wind Generator blade when it is at its highest point.
Tower. The monopole, guyed monopole or lattice structure
that supports a
Wind Generator.
Tower Height. The height above grade of the fixed portion of the tower,
excluding the Wind Generator.
Wind Generator. The blades and associated mechanical and electrical conversion components mounted on top of the tower whose purpose is to convert kinetic energy of the wind into rotational energy used to generate electricity.
D. Procedure for Review:
1. Building Permit: Small Wind Energy Systems and Met Towers are an accessory use permitted in all zoning districts. No Small Wind Energy System shall be erected, constructed, or installed without first receiving a building permit from the Board of Selectmen or the building inspector. A building permit shall be required for any physical Modification to an existing Small Wind Energy System. Met Towers that receive building permits shall be permitted on a temporary basis not to exceed 3 years from the date the building permit was issued.
2. Application: Applications submitted to the building inspector shall contain a drawing or plan with the following information:
i) Property lines and physical dimensions of the applicant’s property.
ii) Location, dimensions, and types of existing major structures on the property.
iii) Location of the proposed Small Wind Energy System, foundations, guy anchors and associated equipment.
iv) Tower foundation blueprints or drawings.
v) Tower blueprints or drawings.
vi) Setback requirements indicated as outlined in this regulation.
vii) The right-of-way of any public road that is contiguous with the property.
viii) Any overhead utility lines.
ix) Small Wind Energy System specifications, including manufacturer, model, rotor diameter, Tower Height, tower type, nameplate generation capacity.
x) Small Wind Energy Systems that will be connected to the Power Grid shall include a copy of the application for interconnection with their electric utility provider.
xi) Sound level analysis prepared by the Wind Generator manufacturer or qualified engineer.
xii) Electrical components in sufficient detail to allow for a determination that the manner of installation conforms to the NH State Building Code.
xiii) Evidence of compliance or non-applicability with Federal Aviation Administration requirements.
xiv) List of abutters to the applicant’s property.
3. Abutter and Regional Notification: In accordance with RSA 674:66, the building inspector shall notify all abutters and the local governing body by certified mail upon application for a building permit to construct a Small Wind Energy System. The public will be afforded 30 days to submit comments to the building inspector prior to the issuance of the building permit. The building inspector shall review the application for regional impacts per RSA 36:55. If the proposal is determined to have potential regional impacts, the building inspector shall follow the procedures set forth in RSA 36:57, IV.
E. Standards:
1. The building inspector may evaluate the application for compliance with the following recommended standards:
a. Recommended Setbacks:
i. 125 percent of the System Height as measured from the center of the tower base to property line or public roads.
ii. 150 percent of the System Height as measured from the center of the tower base to any structure on any neighboring property.
iii. Guy wires used to support the tower may be placed within the recommended setback area.
c. Sound Level: 55 decibels is a typical maximum level, using the A scale (dBA), and measured at the site’s property line.
d. Signs: All signs, except for manufacturer identification or appropriate warning signs, shall be as regulated in the Jackson Zoning Ordinance.
f. Code Compliance: The Small Wind Energy System shall comply with all applicable sections of the New Hampshire State Building Code.
g. Aviation: The Small Wind Energy System shall be built to comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations including but not limited to 14 C.F.R. part 77, subpart B regarding installations close to airports, and the New Hampshire Aviation regulations, including but not limited to RSA 422-b and RSA 424.
h. Visual Impacts: It is inherent that Small Wind Energy Systems may pose some visual impacts due to the Tower Height needed to access wind resources. The purpose of this Section is to reduce the visual impacts, without restricting the owner’s access to the optimal wind resources on the property.
i) It is recommended that the applicant utilize project site planning and proposed mitigation such that the Small Wind Energy System’s visual impacts will be minimized for surrounding neighbors and the community. This may include, but not be limited to information regarding site selection, Wind Generator design or appearance, buffering, and screening of ground mounted electrical and control equipment, and/ or placing electrical conduits underground.
ii) The color recommended for a Small Wind Energy System is a light, non-reflective color that blends in with the surrounding environment, such as white, off-white or gray.
i) Utility Connection: If the proposed Small Wind Energy System is to be connected to the Power Grid through Net Metering, it shall follow requirements of State Laws, including RSA 362-A:9.
Rev. March 8, 2010